U.S. tariffs, by country and week

Tariffs on Cars Imported into the U.S.

Cars imported into the U.S. generally face a 2.5% tariff based on the vehicle's value. This applies to most passenger vehicles, regardless of engine type—whether gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or fully electric.

Breaking it down by vehicle type:

• Gasoline and diesel cars: 2.5% tariff
• Hybrid cars (combining gas/diesel engine with electric motor): 2.5% tariff
• Plug-in hybrid cars (can charge from an outlet): 2.5% tariff
• Fully electric cars: 2.5% tariff

Trade agreements can reduce or eliminate this rate. For example, cars imported from countries with free trade agreements with the U.S. (like Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and others) may enter duty-free or at reduced rates.

Important: These are the base tariff rates. Additional duties may apply depending on the country where the car was manufactured. For instance, recent trade measures have imposed extra tariffs on vehicles from certain countries like China. To get the full picture of what you'd actually pay, you'd need to specify which country the car is coming from—tariffs can vary significantly based on origin.

Steel imports into the U.S. are generally duty-free under standard tariff rates, but there are important additional tariffs you should know about:

Standard Tariffs

Most steel products—including pipes, tubes, railway materials, bars, rods, and structural steel—enter the U.S. with no tariff under normal trade circumstances. Some specialty steel items have small tariffs ranging from about 3% to 6%, but the base rates are typically zero.

Additional Section 232 Tariffs

Here's what actually affects your wallet: Steel imports are subject to Section 232 tariffs—special duties imposed for national security reasons. These add a 25% tariff on most steel products from many countries, on top of any standard rates. This means even "duty-free" steel often faces a 25% tax when it enters the U.S.

Some countries have negotiated lower rates or exemptions (like goods qualifying under the USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico), but the 25% Section 232 tariff applies broadly to steel from most other countries.

Bottom line: If you're buying steel products imported into the U.S., expect around a 25% additional cost due to these tariffs, unless the steel comes from a country with a special exemption or trade deal. The exact rate can vary depending on where the steel is made, so knowing the country of origin is key to understanding the true cost.

Tariffs on iPhones

iPhones imported into the U.S. are currently duty-free under standard tariff rules. This applies to smartphones from any country under normal trade conditions.

However, additional duties may apply depending on where the iPhone was manufactured. Most iPhones are assembled in China, and products from China have been subject to extra tariffs beyond the standard rates. These additional duties can vary based on ongoing trade policies and may change over time.

If you're concerned about the final cost of an imported iPhone or want to know about duties from a specific country, the total tariff could be higher than zero due to these country-specific measures. The base rate remains free, but watch for announcements about additional trade actions that might affect electronics from particular countries.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Coffee

Good news for coffee lovers: coffee beans are duty-free when imported into the United States, regardless of whether they're roasted or decaffeinated. This means no tariff is charged on basic coffee beans.

However, processed coffee products have different rates:

• Instant coffee (including extracts and concentrates): Generally duty-free
• Coffee substitutes containing coffee (like chicory-coffee blends): A small tariff of 1.5 cents per kilogram applies
• Prepared coffee products (like flavored coffee drinks or coffee-based beverages with added sugar): These can face tariffs ranging from 8.5% to over 30% of the product's value, depending on the specific ingredients and preparation

Important note on country of origin: While standard tariffs on coffee beans are zero, additional duties may apply depending on which country the coffee comes from. Recent trade measures have imposed extra tariffs on goods from certain countries. If you're wondering about coffee from a specific country (like Colombia, Brazil, Vietnam, or others), let me know and I can provide more precise information about any additional duties that might apply.

For coffee makers: Electric coffee machines imported into the U.S. typically face a small tariff of 3.7% of their value, though some specialty models may qualify for duty-free treatment.

U.S. Tariffs on Produce

When you import fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) into the United States, the tariff you pay depends on the specific item and where it's coming from. Here's what you need to know:

Most fresh produce enters duty-free or with low tariffs. Items like bananas, plantains, dates, pineapples, and many berries face no import tax at all. Other fresh vegetables and fruits typically have tariffs ranging from 0% to around 20% of the product's value, with most falling in the 2-11% range.

Seasonal timing matters for some vegetables. Certain items like tomatoes and cucumbers have different tariff rates depending on what time of year they enter the U.S. For example, frozen tomatoes imported March-July or September-November face a tariff of about 2.9 cents per kilogram, while those entering July 15-August 31 face only 2.1 cents per kilogram. This helps protect U.S. farmers during their peak growing seasons.

Country of origin is crucial. Many produce imports from Canada and Mexico benefit from reduced or zero tariffs under the USMCA trade agreement. However, additional tariffs may apply depending on where the produce originates—particularly from countries subject to special trade measures. To get the most accurate tariff rate, you'll need to specify both the exact product (e.g., "tomatoes" rather than just "produce") and the country it's coming from.

If you have a specific fruit or vegetable in mind, or want to know about imports from a particular country, I can give you more precise information!

Wine Import Tariffs

Wine imported into the U.S. generally faces very low tariffs - often just pennies per liter - though the exact amount depends on the type of wine and alcohol content.

Standard wines (still wines under 14% alcohol) typically pay around 6-14 cents per liter. Wines over 14% alcohol pay about 22 cents per liter. Sparkling wines like Champagne or Prosecco pay roughly 20 cents per liter. For most trade partners with good relations (like countries in Europe, Australia, Chile, etc.), these tariffs are waived entirely - meaning duty-free.

However, certain premium white wines from specific countries may face much higher duties. For example, expensive white still wines (over $1.05/liter in containers under 3.8 liters) can be hit with a 200% additional tariff on top of the standard rate, depending on the country of origin.

Bottom line: Most everyday wines you buy face minimal or zero import tariffs. Premium wines from certain sources might cost significantly more due to additional duties. If you're curious about a specific wine, knowing the country of origin will help determine the exact rate.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Shoes

The tariff you pay on imported shoes depends heavily on what type of shoe it is, what it's made of, and how much it costs. Here's the breakdown:

Athletic & Sports Shoes

• Sneakers, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes
• Generally around 20% for higher-priced pairs (over $12/pair)
• Golf shoes
• Around 8.5% to 10% depending on materials and construction

Everyday Shoes

• Leather shoes (dress shoes, casual shoes)
• Typically 8.5% to 10% for most styles
• Rubber/plastic shoes
• Wide range from 6% to 48% depending on construction and price. Cheaper shoes (under $3/pair) may enter duty-free, while mid-range shoes ($6.50-$12/pair) face complex rates combining a fixed fee per pair plus a percentage
• House slippers
• Around 7% to 8% for most types

Key Factors That Affect Your Cost

1. Materials: Leather shoes generally have lower tariffs than all-rubber/plastic shoes 2. Price point: Cheaper shoes often have higher percentage tariffs or no tariff at all; expensive shoes typically face straightforward percentage rates 3. Country of origin: Shoes from many countries get duty-free treatment under trade agreements (like Mexico, Canada, Peru, Singapore, and others). However, additional tariffs may apply to shoes from certain countries - particularly China - which can add significantly to the base rates listed above.

If you're curious about a specific type of shoe or country, let me know and I can give you more precise information!

U.S. Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals

Good news for your wallet: Most pharmaceuticals imported into the U.S. are duty-free (no tariff). This includes:

• Prescription medications
• whether antibiotics, pain relievers, heart medications, or specialty drugs
• Generic drug ingredients
• the active pharmaceutical compounds used to make medications
• Vitamins and supplements
• both single vitamins and combination products
• Medical supplies
• sterile surgical materials, wound dressings, and bandages

What This Means for Prices

The duty-free status helps keep medication costs stable. Whether your prescription is manufactured domestically or imported from places like India, Ireland, or Puerto Rico, you're not paying import taxes on the medicine itself.

Important Exceptions

A small number of pharmaceutical products from countries *without* normal trade relations with the U.S. (primarily Cuba and North Korea) face higher tariffs of 15-50%. However, these countries represent virtually none of the pharmaceutical imports Americans use.

Country-Specific Considerations

If your medication comes from a specific country and you'd like to know if any additional duties apply beyond the standard rates, let me know the source country. Some products may be subject to supplemental tariffs depending on their origin, though pharmaceuticals generally remain duty-free across most trading partners.

The bottom line: Import tariffs are not a significant factor in prescription drug prices for Americans.

U.S. Tariffs on Lumber

When you import lumber into the U.S., the tariff you pay depends on the type of wood and where it's coming from.

Standard Rates

Most softwood lumber (pine, fir, spruce, hemlock, cedar, etc.) enters duty-free under normal trade conditions. This includes rough-cut lumber, planed lumber, and dimensional lumber used in construction. However, there's an important additional 10% tariff that applies to softwood timber and lumber products regardless of country of origin, which went into effect in October 2025.

Some processed lumber products have small tariffs:

• Lumber that's been shaped (like tongue-and-groove flooring or moldings): Generally duty-free to 5%, depending on how much processing has been done
• Wood dowels that are sanded or grooved: 4.9%
• Drilled or notched lumber studs: Duty-free

Country-Specific Considerations

While the base rates are generally favorable, lumber imports can be subject to additional duties depending on the source country:

• Canada: Softwood lumber from Canada has historically faced additional duties beyond the standard rates, though specific products may qualify for USMCA benefits
• United Kingdom, Japan, and European Union: Special caps apply
• total duties won't exceed 10-15% for these countries
• Other countries: The additional 10% softwood lumber tariff applies on top of any other duties

Bottom Line

For a typical 2x4 or sheet of plywood, you're looking at the 10% additional tariff on softwood products, while the base tariff is usually zero. The exact amount depends on the specific product and origin country, so knowing where your lumber comes from matters for calculating the total cost.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Cabinets

When importing cabinets into the U.S., the tariff you pay depends on what the cabinet is made of and where it's coming from.

Basic Tariff Rates

Wooden kitchen cabinets and vanities that are finished and ready to install generally come in duty-free under normal circumstances. However, there are significant additional tariffs depending on the country of origin:

• From most countries: An additional 25% tariff applies on top of the base rate for completed kitchen cabinets and vanities, as well as their parts. This means you're effectively paying 25% of the product's value as a tariff.

• From specific countries (like the UK, Japan, EU, and South Korea): The rate is 15% for wooden kitchen cabinets and vanities.

Metal cabinets (like filing cabinets or storage lockers) are also generally duty-free for the base rate, but additional country-specific tariffs may apply.

Country of Origin Matters

Where your cabinets are manufactured makes a big difference in what you'll actually pay. The additional 15-25% surcharges mentioned above are examples of trade measures targeting certain countries. If you're buying cabinets from Canada or Mexico under the USMCA trade agreement, you may qualify for better rates. For the most accurate cost estimate, you'll want to know exactly where your cabinets are being made and shipped from.